Agents arrested Michael P. Smith, 37, on four counts of possession of an alligator during a closed season, possession of crystal meth, possession of drug paraphernalia and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Smith was booked into the Concordia Parish Jail.

Agents were patrolling the Old River levee in Ferriday and found Smith and his juvenile son walking up the levee. After checking Smith, agents found an alligator head in a trash bag. Agents then found a decapitated 10 foot alligator on the bank not far from where Smith and his son were located.

Agents and Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) deputies were able to secure a search warrant to search Smith’s vehicle and residence. Agents found one fresh alligator head in his vehicle and two fresh alligator heads in his residence. During the search, agents also found crystal meth and drug paraphernalia in Smith’s house.

Possession of an alligator during a closed season brings up to a $400 to $950 fine and 120 days in jail for the first offense, up to a $750 to $950 fine and 180 days in jail for the second offense and between $1,000 to $5,000 in fines and 180 days to two years in jail for each subsequent offense.

Contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile carries up to a $500 fine and six months of jail. Possession of crystal meth brings up to a $5,000 fine and five years in jail. Possession of drug paraphernalia carries up to a $500 fine and six months in jail.

Participating in the case were LDWF Senior Agents Joseph Merrill and Robert Mayo and two CCSO deputies.